Lee Tibbitts (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Tracking Data for Marbled Godwits (Limosa fedoa)
Available here are tracking data of Marbled Godwits, a large-bodied shorebird that, in Alaska, nests in the southwestern portion of the state. These data were collected to better understand the timing and patterns of migratory movements and seasonal use of different coastal areas in the Pacific region.
Tracking Data for Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
Available here are tracking data for the whimbrel, a striking example of a shorebird with its long and curved bill. The whimbrel is found throughout tundra and boreal habitats of Alaska during the summer and spends the winter along coast lines of the continental U.S., and central and South America. These data were collected to better understand the migratory patterns of this iconic species.
USGS Alaska Science Center Wildlife Tracking Data Collection
Understanding the short- and long-distance movements of wildlife is critical for a wide variety of ecological research questions and management decisions. Since the mid-1980s, the USGS Alaska Science Center has used information from telemetry devices on wildlife species to determine locations of animals throughout their annual cycles, understand patterns of habitat use, quantify time spent on...
Past Shorebird Research
Below is information on past USGS research projects.
Filter Total Items: 20
Data from the Inventory of Montane-nesting Birds in the Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, Alaska Data from the Inventory of Montane-nesting Birds in the Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, Alaska
This data package contains six tables: 1) characteristics of bird survey sites, 2) vegetation classification at survey sites, 3) detections of all birds at survey sites, 4) behaviors of all birds at survey sites, 5) bird taxonomy and indication of conservation status, and 6) habitat information pertaining to survey site photographs. The objectives of the survey were to 1) use targeted...
Adult Shorebird Morphological Measurement Data Adult Shorebird Morphological Measurement Data
This dataset consists of five tables, 1) shorebird morphological measurements collected from various species captured from 1895-2021, 2) taxonomy, 3) contributors, 4) sampling locations, and 5) cross-reference publications. In addition, photographs of plumage patterns are available for several species. Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey - Alaska Science Center, along with...
Juvenile Shorebird Morphological Data Collected in Alaska and Canada Juvenile Shorebird Morphological Data Collected in Alaska and Canada
This dataset consists of shorebird chick measurements (wing, primary feather 10, diagonal tarsus, and bill length) and body mass for various shorebird species captured in Alaska and Canada during 1978-2022. Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey - Alaska Science Center, and collaborators from many government agencies and research institutions have studied shorebirds at numerous...
Inventory Data of Lowland-Breeding Birds and Associated Vegetation Types on the Alaska Peninsula, 2004-2007 Inventory Data of Lowland-Breeding Birds and Associated Vegetation Types on the Alaska Peninsula, 2004-2007
This release includes data collected using stratified random surveys to inventory the birds breeding in lowlands (elevation below 100m) of the Alaska Peninsula, during summers 2004-2007. Data were collected at 792 survey points (10-minute point counts) on 52 5-km x 5-km plots. The data are in seven tables: 1) geographic coordinates of the bounding corners of each of the 52 survey plots...
Tracking Data for Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus) Tracking Data for Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus)
This data release includes 2 child items with tracking data for Whimbrels, a shorebird found throughout tundra and boreal habitats of Alaska during the summer and winters along the coasts of the continental U.S., and central and South America. Child Item 1: "Argos Satellite Tracking Data for Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus) - Processed Data" -- Quality-controlled data collected from Argos...
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis) measurement data from Brazil, Texas, and Alaska Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis) measurement data from Brazil, Texas, and Alaska
This data consists of a single table morphologic measurement data and sex as determined by behavior and genetic techniques from 362 Buff-breasted Sandpipers (Calidris subruficollis) from Brazil, Texas and Alaska (1994 - 2017).
Filter Total Items: 56
The Amazon Basin’s rivers and lakes support Nearctic-breeding shorebirds during southward migration The Amazon Basin’s rivers and lakes support Nearctic-breeding shorebirds during southward migration
Identifying the migration routes and stopover sites used by declining species is critical for developing targeted conservation actions. Long-distance migratory shorebirds are among the groups of birds declining most rapidly, yet we frequently lack detailed knowledge about the routes and stopover sites they use during their hemisphere-spanning migrations. This is especially true for...
Authors
Jennifer A. Linscott, Enzo Basso, Rosalyn Bathrick, Juliana Bosi de Almeida, Alexandra Anderson, Fernando Angulo-Pratolongo, Bart M Ballard, Joël Bêty, Stephen Brown, Katherine S. Christie, Sarah J. Clements, Christian Friis, Callie Gesmundo, Marie-Andree Giroux, Autumn-Lynn Harrison, Christopher M. Harwood, Jason M. Hill, James A. Johnson, Bart Kempenaers, Benoit Laliberte, Jean-François Lamarre, Richard B. Lanctot, Christopher Latty, Nicolas Lecomte, Laura Anne McDuffie, Juan G. Navedo, Erica Nol, Zachary M. Pohlen, Jennie Rausch, R.B. Renfrew, Jorge Ruiz, Mike Russell, Daniel R. Ruthrauff, Sarah T. Saalfeld, Brett K. Sandercock, Shiloh A. Schulte, Paul A Smith, Audrey R. Taylor, T. Lee Tibbitts, Mihai Valcu, Mitch D. Weegman, James R. Wright, Nathan R. Senner
Return rates of GPS-tagged Pacific Golden-Plovers: A controlled study in Hawaii Return rates of GPS-tagged Pacific Golden-Plovers: A controlled study in Hawaii
In a study of GPS-tagged Pacific Golden-Plovers wintering at Moorea, French Polynesia, Johnson et al. (2020) raised questions about possible tag-induced mortality. Similar concerns in other species have generated considerable attention in recent years. Of 19 tagged plovers that departed Moorea on northward migration, only one bird (5 %) uploaded a complete migratory cycle to Argos...
Authors
Oscar W. Johnson, Michael Weber, David R. Bybee, T. Lee Tibbitts, Susan Scott, Joshua Fisher, Wendy A. Kuntz, Susanne Spiessberger, Sigrid Southworth, Elizabeth Maynard, Laura Zoller, Carolyn Smith
Site fidelity of migratory shorebirds facing habitat deterioration: Insights from satellite tracking and mark-resighting Site fidelity of migratory shorebirds facing habitat deterioration: Insights from satellite tracking and mark-resighting
Background Site fidelity, the tendency to return to a previously visited site, is commonly observed in migratory birds. This behaviour would be advantageous if birds returning to the same site, benefit from their previous knowledge about local resources. However, when habitat quality declines at a site over time, birds with lower site fidelity might benefit from a tendency to move to...
Authors
Ying-Chi Chan, David Tsz-Chung Chan, T. Lee Tibbitts, Chris J. Hassell, Theunis Piersma
Disparate data streams together yield novel survival estimates of Alaska-breeding Whimbrels Disparate data streams together yield novel survival estimates of Alaska-breeding Whimbrels
Survival estimates are critical components of avian ecology. In well-intentioned efforts to maximize the utility of one's research, survival estimates often derive from data that were not originally collected for survival assessments, and such post hoc analyses may include unintentional biases. We estimated the survival of Whimbrels captured and marked at two breeding sites in Alaska...
Authors
Daniel R. Ruthrauff, Christopher M. Harwood, T. Lee Tibbitts, Vijay P. Patil
Hidden in plain sight: Migration routes of the elusive Anadyr bar-tailed godwit revealed by satellite tracking Hidden in plain sight: Migration routes of the elusive Anadyr bar-tailed godwit revealed by satellite tracking
Satellite and GPS tracking technology continues to reveal new migration patterns of birds which enables comparative studies of migration strategies and distributional information useful in conservation. Bar-tailed godwits in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Limosa lapponica baueri and L. l. menzbieri are known for their long non-stop flights, however these populations are in steep...
Authors
Ying-Chi Chan, T. Lee Tibbitts, Dmitry Dorofeev, Chris J. Hassell, Theunis Piersma
Central-West Siberian-breeding Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica) segregate in two morphologically distinct flyway populations Central-West Siberian-breeding Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica) segregate in two morphologically distinct flyway populations
Long-distance migratory species often include multiple breeding populations, with distinct migration routes, wintering areas and annual-cycle timing. Detailed knowledge on population structure and migratory connectivity provides the basis for studies on the evolution of migration strategies and for species conservation. Currently, five subspecies of Bar-tailed Godwits Limosa lapponica...
Authors
Roeland A. Bom, Jesse R. Conklin, Yvonne I. Verkuil, Jose A. Alves, Jimmy De Fouw, Anne Dekinga, Chris J. Hassell, Raymond H. G. Klaassen, Eldar Rakhimberdiev, Andy Y. Kwarteng, Afonso Rocha, Job ten Horn, T. Lee Tibbitts, Pavel S. Tomkovich, Reginald Victor, Theunis Piersma
Science and Products
Tracking Data for Marbled Godwits (Limosa fedoa)
Available here are tracking data of Marbled Godwits, a large-bodied shorebird that, in Alaska, nests in the southwestern portion of the state. These data were collected to better understand the timing and patterns of migratory movements and seasonal use of different coastal areas in the Pacific region.
Tracking Data for Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
Available here are tracking data for the whimbrel, a striking example of a shorebird with its long and curved bill. The whimbrel is found throughout tundra and boreal habitats of Alaska during the summer and spends the winter along coast lines of the continental U.S., and central and South America. These data were collected to better understand the migratory patterns of this iconic species.
USGS Alaska Science Center Wildlife Tracking Data Collection
Understanding the short- and long-distance movements of wildlife is critical for a wide variety of ecological research questions and management decisions. Since the mid-1980s, the USGS Alaska Science Center has used information from telemetry devices on wildlife species to determine locations of animals throughout their annual cycles, understand patterns of habitat use, quantify time spent on...
Past Shorebird Research
Below is information on past USGS research projects.
Filter Total Items: 20
Data from the Inventory of Montane-nesting Birds in the Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, Alaska Data from the Inventory of Montane-nesting Birds in the Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, Alaska
This data package contains six tables: 1) characteristics of bird survey sites, 2) vegetation classification at survey sites, 3) detections of all birds at survey sites, 4) behaviors of all birds at survey sites, 5) bird taxonomy and indication of conservation status, and 6) habitat information pertaining to survey site photographs. The objectives of the survey were to 1) use targeted...
Adult Shorebird Morphological Measurement Data Adult Shorebird Morphological Measurement Data
This dataset consists of five tables, 1) shorebird morphological measurements collected from various species captured from 1895-2021, 2) taxonomy, 3) contributors, 4) sampling locations, and 5) cross-reference publications. In addition, photographs of plumage patterns are available for several species. Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey - Alaska Science Center, along with...
Juvenile Shorebird Morphological Data Collected in Alaska and Canada Juvenile Shorebird Morphological Data Collected in Alaska and Canada
This dataset consists of shorebird chick measurements (wing, primary feather 10, diagonal tarsus, and bill length) and body mass for various shorebird species captured in Alaska and Canada during 1978-2022. Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey - Alaska Science Center, and collaborators from many government agencies and research institutions have studied shorebirds at numerous...
Inventory Data of Lowland-Breeding Birds and Associated Vegetation Types on the Alaska Peninsula, 2004-2007 Inventory Data of Lowland-Breeding Birds and Associated Vegetation Types on the Alaska Peninsula, 2004-2007
This release includes data collected using stratified random surveys to inventory the birds breeding in lowlands (elevation below 100m) of the Alaska Peninsula, during summers 2004-2007. Data were collected at 792 survey points (10-minute point counts) on 52 5-km x 5-km plots. The data are in seven tables: 1) geographic coordinates of the bounding corners of each of the 52 survey plots...
Tracking Data for Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus) Tracking Data for Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus)
This data release includes 2 child items with tracking data for Whimbrels, a shorebird found throughout tundra and boreal habitats of Alaska during the summer and winters along the coasts of the continental U.S., and central and South America. Child Item 1: "Argos Satellite Tracking Data for Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus) - Processed Data" -- Quality-controlled data collected from Argos...
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis) measurement data from Brazil, Texas, and Alaska Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis) measurement data from Brazil, Texas, and Alaska
This data consists of a single table morphologic measurement data and sex as determined by behavior and genetic techniques from 362 Buff-breasted Sandpipers (Calidris subruficollis) from Brazil, Texas and Alaska (1994 - 2017).
Filter Total Items: 56
The Amazon Basin’s rivers and lakes support Nearctic-breeding shorebirds during southward migration The Amazon Basin’s rivers and lakes support Nearctic-breeding shorebirds during southward migration
Identifying the migration routes and stopover sites used by declining species is critical for developing targeted conservation actions. Long-distance migratory shorebirds are among the groups of birds declining most rapidly, yet we frequently lack detailed knowledge about the routes and stopover sites they use during their hemisphere-spanning migrations. This is especially true for...
Authors
Jennifer A. Linscott, Enzo Basso, Rosalyn Bathrick, Juliana Bosi de Almeida, Alexandra Anderson, Fernando Angulo-Pratolongo, Bart M Ballard, Joël Bêty, Stephen Brown, Katherine S. Christie, Sarah J. Clements, Christian Friis, Callie Gesmundo, Marie-Andree Giroux, Autumn-Lynn Harrison, Christopher M. Harwood, Jason M. Hill, James A. Johnson, Bart Kempenaers, Benoit Laliberte, Jean-François Lamarre, Richard B. Lanctot, Christopher Latty, Nicolas Lecomte, Laura Anne McDuffie, Juan G. Navedo, Erica Nol, Zachary M. Pohlen, Jennie Rausch, R.B. Renfrew, Jorge Ruiz, Mike Russell, Daniel R. Ruthrauff, Sarah T. Saalfeld, Brett K. Sandercock, Shiloh A. Schulte, Paul A Smith, Audrey R. Taylor, T. Lee Tibbitts, Mihai Valcu, Mitch D. Weegman, James R. Wright, Nathan R. Senner
Return rates of GPS-tagged Pacific Golden-Plovers: A controlled study in Hawaii Return rates of GPS-tagged Pacific Golden-Plovers: A controlled study in Hawaii
In a study of GPS-tagged Pacific Golden-Plovers wintering at Moorea, French Polynesia, Johnson et al. (2020) raised questions about possible tag-induced mortality. Similar concerns in other species have generated considerable attention in recent years. Of 19 tagged plovers that departed Moorea on northward migration, only one bird (5 %) uploaded a complete migratory cycle to Argos...
Authors
Oscar W. Johnson, Michael Weber, David R. Bybee, T. Lee Tibbitts, Susan Scott, Joshua Fisher, Wendy A. Kuntz, Susanne Spiessberger, Sigrid Southworth, Elizabeth Maynard, Laura Zoller, Carolyn Smith
Site fidelity of migratory shorebirds facing habitat deterioration: Insights from satellite tracking and mark-resighting Site fidelity of migratory shorebirds facing habitat deterioration: Insights from satellite tracking and mark-resighting
Background Site fidelity, the tendency to return to a previously visited site, is commonly observed in migratory birds. This behaviour would be advantageous if birds returning to the same site, benefit from their previous knowledge about local resources. However, when habitat quality declines at a site over time, birds with lower site fidelity might benefit from a tendency to move to...
Authors
Ying-Chi Chan, David Tsz-Chung Chan, T. Lee Tibbitts, Chris J. Hassell, Theunis Piersma
Disparate data streams together yield novel survival estimates of Alaska-breeding Whimbrels Disparate data streams together yield novel survival estimates of Alaska-breeding Whimbrels
Survival estimates are critical components of avian ecology. In well-intentioned efforts to maximize the utility of one's research, survival estimates often derive from data that were not originally collected for survival assessments, and such post hoc analyses may include unintentional biases. We estimated the survival of Whimbrels captured and marked at two breeding sites in Alaska...
Authors
Daniel R. Ruthrauff, Christopher M. Harwood, T. Lee Tibbitts, Vijay P. Patil
Hidden in plain sight: Migration routes of the elusive Anadyr bar-tailed godwit revealed by satellite tracking Hidden in plain sight: Migration routes of the elusive Anadyr bar-tailed godwit revealed by satellite tracking
Satellite and GPS tracking technology continues to reveal new migration patterns of birds which enables comparative studies of migration strategies and distributional information useful in conservation. Bar-tailed godwits in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Limosa lapponica baueri and L. l. menzbieri are known for their long non-stop flights, however these populations are in steep...
Authors
Ying-Chi Chan, T. Lee Tibbitts, Dmitry Dorofeev, Chris J. Hassell, Theunis Piersma
Central-West Siberian-breeding Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica) segregate in two morphologically distinct flyway populations Central-West Siberian-breeding Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica) segregate in two morphologically distinct flyway populations
Long-distance migratory species often include multiple breeding populations, with distinct migration routes, wintering areas and annual-cycle timing. Detailed knowledge on population structure and migratory connectivity provides the basis for studies on the evolution of migration strategies and for species conservation. Currently, five subspecies of Bar-tailed Godwits Limosa lapponica...
Authors
Roeland A. Bom, Jesse R. Conklin, Yvonne I. Verkuil, Jose A. Alves, Jimmy De Fouw, Anne Dekinga, Chris J. Hassell, Raymond H. G. Klaassen, Eldar Rakhimberdiev, Andy Y. Kwarteng, Afonso Rocha, Job ten Horn, T. Lee Tibbitts, Pavel S. Tomkovich, Reginald Victor, Theunis Piersma
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government